Surgical Cardiac Tech III - Surgery - Full Time 10 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Union)

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Keck Hospital of USC seeks an experienced Surgical Tech III to support complex cardiac and transplant procedures. You will assist the surgical team, maintain strict asepsis, and prepare instruments and set-ups for diverse operations.

The role emphasizes critical thinking, advanced techniques, and potential mentoring of junior technicians. Under RN guidance, you will ensure patient safety, participate in intraoperative crisis response, and contribute to ongoing process improvements within a

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technician Program.
• Minimum 3 years surgical technician experience in an acute care setting with Cardiac and/or Liver Transplant exposure.
• Experience with surgical services process improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Assists in advanced/lead surgical procedures, including cardiac and transplant cases.
• Maintains aseptic technique and corrects breaches promptly.
• Communicates with the surgical team about patient status and procedure flow.
• Prepares, sterilizes, and inventories instruments and supplies.
• Transports and handles equipment and specimens as needed.
• Performs scrub duties and passes instruments during operations.
• Mentors and may lead other surgical technicians.

Skills

Surgical asepsis

Intraoperative support

Team coordination

Mentoring others

Critical thinking

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technician Program

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification

BLS Healthcare Provider certification

Fire Life Safety Training (LA City)

Job description

Under general guidance of the Registered Nurse, the Surgical Cardiac Tech III applies, demonstrates, and possess advance/expert knowledge, competencies, and skills of surgical and aseptic techniques and practices; assists the surgical team and performs a variety of tasks in an operating room; prepares, sterilizes, and cleans up surgical equipment and instruments; and is responsible for the care and safety of patients who come under his/her care. The Surgical Tech III is generally assigned the more difficult surgical/operative procedures and exercises high-level critical thinking and independent judgement. May mentor or lead other surgical technicians

Essential Duties

• Performs similar responsibilities as the Surgical Tech II but distinguishes from the Tech II in that the Surgical Tech III is an advance to lead level position and is generally assigned the more difficult surgical/operative procedures (such as Cardiac and/or Transplant surgeries) which requires higher level knowledge, skills, and ability to adapt to the operative procedure.
• Adheres to all safety standards and policies (such as surgical, specimen collection, sterile processing, Title 22, JCAHO) as they relate while performing all responsibilities.
• Applies principles of aseptic technique and initiates prompt corrective action when breaks in aseptic technique occur.
• Remains attentive throughout the operative procedure, anticipating the needs of the surgical team, and responds appropriately during emergency intraoperative crises.
• Maintains ongoing communication with the circulating nurse and other members of the surgical team regarding changes in patient status or the progress of surgery.
• Arranges and inventories sterile set-up for operation.
• Facilitates the smooth flow of the surgical intervention (i.e., prepares for the procedure with updated preference cards, knowledge of instruments and equipment).
• Performs scrub role (such as anticipating surgical team's needs, passing of instruments, cutting sutures, etc.) according to standards.
• Prepares, cleans, and maintains instruments, equipment, and all surgical related items in accordance to established guidelines.
• Transports patients, equipment, supplies, and specimens.
• Prepares operating room (OR) by setting up tables, instruments, and supplies in according to type of case/operative procedure.
• Performs the preceptor role in the training of students.
• Participates in decision-marking activities related to evaluating and acquiring surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Recommends, implements, and participates process improvement projects on an ongoing basis.
• May mentor and/or lead other surgical technicians
• May assist in performing circulating skills and task.
• Performs all duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Req High School or equivalent
• Req Specialized/technical training Completion of a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technician Program is required
• Req 3 years Three years Surgical Technician experience in an acute care setting with expertise in at least three Surgical Specialties, of which one must be Cardiac and/or Liver Transplant.
• Req Experience must have included surgical services process improvement project planning, implementing, or participation.
• Req Active practice as a Surgical Technician within the six (6) months prior to application
• Req Surgical Technologist - CST Valid Surgical Tech certification (CST) from accreditation organizations CAAHEP or ABHES
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital's world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

The hourly rate range for this position is $37.96 - $64.53. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.